All 33 customs officers at Brussels Zaventem airport had their firearms confiscated Friday after an officer threatened a colleague with a gun, Belgian news outlets La Derniere Heure and Het Laatste Nieuws reported Monday.
“The decision was taken to avoid an escalation and worse, a serious incident,” a management representative told the press.
The move is temporary and followed a personal conflict including threats and bullying, according to the Belgian finance ministry, which is responsible for customs. The weapons may be returned after an inquiry into the incident is completed, the ministry said.
Het Laatste Nieuws reported the incident involved one officer telling a colleague to shut up, while provocatively clenching his hand around his firearm. The paper said it was not the first time this had occurred.
Customs officers patrol the Zaventem airport watching for suspicious activity and have been armed for years, according to La Derniere Heure.
The airport’s arrival hall was bombed in the March 22 Brussels terrorist attacks.